HANGGAI will compliment the fans of traditionell mongolian-chinese folk-music at the medieval-stage. The mixture of traditional mongolian instruments and modern music will give you a little sneak into Asian folklore and a visit will pay for yourself.
Chinese youths discover their musical roots: Hanggai draw inspiration from the ample and rich musical sources from the Steppe of inner Mongolia. China has not always had a fine sense of hearing for its minorities, for the older generations the Cultural Revolution was not all that long ago. Still, this huge land is in a state of upheaval, and young musicians are newly discovering their sense of tradition.
When the punk-rocker from Peking, Ilchi heard throat singing for the first time, he was firmly decided to discover more of his Mongolian heritage. He travelled there, met two traditional musicians named Hugejiltu and Bagen, and soon after Hanggai was born. Founded in Peking but dedicated to traditional Mongolian songs, Hanggais rambling, indisputably brilliant music has found many fans.
Since 2009 the band have also been very successful abroad, the summer tour lead them to big festivals such as Roskilde, Lowlands, Sfinks, Womad and Sziget where they left enthused crowds in their wake. In October they performed an official Showcase at Womex.
Hanggai’s music is based on traditional music from the Grassland. It is played predominantly on the double sided lute and the “horse-head” violin, sung in Mongolian, also with the technique of the overtone singing. Both of the western producers, Matteo Scumaci and Robin Haller, were very modest with their work. The arrangements are carefully constructed and don’t infringe on the sound structure of songs from the Grassland. Moreover the overtone singing does not turn into artistic voice acrobatics.
Hanggai sing about mongolian Robin Hoods and mix throat singing with elements of rock. They dress like men from the Steppe, although they live in the buzzing metropolis of Peking. Of course, embodying contradictions comes naturally to ethnic minorities in China – only this time it’s different.
With their natural voices, elegantly arranged songs, first-class produced album and the oddly familiar melodies, Hanggai have successfully breached the gap from folk phenomenon to crossover pioneers – and without losing their souls. Made from – and meant for- the wide open lands of Mongolia, this music will make you homesick for a place you’ve never been.
Shetland Folk Festival 2008 - Hanggai
WHAT CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT "INTRODUCING HANGGAI"
“distills everything powerful about Mongolian folk music and makes something new from the ingredients…transcendently powerful music that anyone from anywhere can understand.” (Pitchfork)
“so entrancing or just downright enthralling that I just can’t imagine why the tradition ever fell out of fashion… charming, raucous, brilliantly jubilant and a breath of fresh Mongolian grassland.” (World Music Central)
"Hanggai have made the leap from folk phenomenon to crossover pioneers without losing their soul. Built from -- and meant for -- Mongolia's wide open spaces, this music will make you homesick for a place you've never been." (Rhapsody)
“Introducing Hanggai is more than just an introduction. It’s an outright emotional roller coaster....The closest I can get to describing this album is that it’s pure magic. Enjoy.” (411mania)
"their melodic, often mournful songs at times echo the sturdy charm of Celtic balladry." (Guardian)
"Their debut album is a delight...'Flowers' is country and eastern, while 'Haar Hu' could be the grassland's 'Scarborough Fair'. While Beijing busts a vulgar gut to Westernise, Hanggai update tradition with elegance." (Observer)
"Introducing Hanggai is more than an introduction to Hanggai: it could also serve as an introduction to indigenous Mongolian music on the whole, a gateway Mongolian folk album for non-Mongolians." (Popmatters)
"Entstanden is ein Mongolen-Album, das alles in sich vereint, was man von dieser musik erwarten: pferdekopfgeige, Obertongesang und Maultrommel. Aberauch uns bekannte perkussionspatterns, westliche rhythmik und ungewohnte, namlich dezente elektronikhaben einzug gehalten." (Blue Rhythem)
"Ce premier album est une totale réussite !" (Mondomix)
“distills everything powerful about Mongolian folk music and makes something new from the ingredients…transcendently powerful music that anyone from anywhere can understand.” (Pitchfork)
“so entrancing or just downright enthralling that I just can’t imagine why the tradition ever fell out of fashion… charming, raucous, brilliantly jubilant and a breath of fresh Mongolian grassland.” (World Music Central)
"Hanggai have made the leap from folk phenomenon to crossover pioneers without losing their soul. Built from -- and meant for -- Mongolia's wide open spaces, this music will make you homesick for a place you've never been." (Rhapsody)
“Introducing Hanggai is more than just an introduction. It’s an outright emotional roller coaster....The closest I can get to describing this album is that it’s pure magic. Enjoy.” (411mania)
"their melodic, often mournful songs at times echo the sturdy charm of Celtic balladry." (Guardian)
"Their debut album is a delight...'Flowers' is country and eastern, while 'Haar Hu' could be the grassland's 'Scarborough Fair'. While Beijing busts a vulgar gut to Westernise, Hanggai update tradition with elegance." (Observer)
"Introducing Hanggai is more than an introduction to Hanggai: it could also serve as an introduction to indigenous Mongolian music on the whole, a gateway Mongolian folk album for non-Mongolians." (Popmatters)
"Entstanden is ein Mongolen-Album, das alles in sich vereint, was man von dieser musik erwarten: pferdekopfgeige, Obertongesang und Maultrommel. Aberauch uns bekannte perkussionspatterns, westliche rhythmik und ungewohnte, namlich dezente elektronikhaben einzug gehalten." (Blue Rhythem)
"Ce premier album est une totale réussite !" (Mondomix)
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